Senator Kennedy: Public Trust Act is Important, Necessary Step to Crack Down on Albany Crime Spree

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Public Trust Act and urged his colleagues to join him in pursuit of an aggressive anti-corruption agenda. Kennedy wants the state to take on public corruption and enact strong new reforms to clean up Albany during this legislative session.

“Western New Yorkers are sick and tired of seeing elected officials dragged out of the State Capitol in handcuffs. Enough is enough. It needs to end now,” said Senator Kennedy. “Governor Cuomo’s proposed Public Trust Act is an important and necessary step to crack down on the Albany crime spree. It will ensure those who violate the public’s trust end up behind bars – for years.

“Cleaning up Albany will take aggressive, far-reaching actions that aim to strengthen oversight, toughen penalties and empower enforcement. In addition to the provisions outlined in the Public Trust Act, real campaign finance reform is urgently needed to fight the influence of money in politics and root out the public corruption that is rotting away New Yorkers’ faith in their government.

“The people of New York State deserve better. They deserve a cleaner, more responsive Albany that always puts the people first. There’s no time for delay and no room for excuses. New Yorkers are impatient for change, and they are expecting decisive action.

“Those individuals who have so egregiously violated the public’s trust need to resign, and from this point forward, the Legislature must push for even stronger laws to root out corruption and clean up Albany. I urge my colleagues in government to join me in pursuit of an aggressive anti-corruption agenda this legislative session.”

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Senator Timothy M. Kennedy represents the New York State Senate’s 63rd District, which is comprised of the town of Cheektowaga, the city of Lackawanna and nearly all of the city of Buffalo. More information is available at http://kennedy.nysenate.gov.